Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Hoboken
A home in Hoboken might experience foundation issues for multiple reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Hoboken experiences, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: The average Hoboken home construction year is 1969. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To choose a foundation repair contractor, you should determine what's most important to you. Use this list of qualities to help you navigate the process.
Licensing and Experience
New Jersey requires home improvement contractors, including foundation companies, to register with the state's Division of Consumer Affairs. They're also required to apply for a home repair contractor license with the Department of Banking and Insurance, which regulates the financial business of construction work. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and what local codes apply to your project.
Contractor websites are among the best places to do your research. Typically, a company will disclose how long it's been in business. It might also share other content to help potential clients.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, go to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Complaints don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a good sign if the company has fixed issues appropriately and proactively. You should stay away from a company with many negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Hoboken
The price of your foundation repair project can vary substantially depending on the extent of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable damage, the normal cost falls at about $3,500. More involved projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,100+. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $406 |
Leak Repair | $3,356 |
Stabilization | $5,879 |
Underpinning | $1,553 |
Waterproofing | $3,716 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Hoboken
How much does foundation repair cost in Hoboken?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drains and sump pumps or using sealants around a cellar. Outdoor waterproofing is usually less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and establishing physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Ensure your home's gutters and downspouts are properly installed and direct water away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation.
- Irrigate the soil around your foundation consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent shrinking and expansion.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and reducing the risk of foundation issues.
- Keep an eye on your foundation for signs of damage, and fix any issues immediately.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)